They call it wind therapy.
For some, it’s the antidote to a hard shift. For others, it’s how they cope with everything they’ve seen – Ground Zero, wildfires, the calls that don’t leave you. For all the fire fighters and emergency service workers who ride, it’s the reason the IAFF Motorcycle Group exists.
“It’s not about the destination, but the journey,” IAFF-MG 1st District Coordinator Mark Chai said. Chai is a retired member of Elizabeth, NJ, Local 2040.
While there are several fire fighter motorcycle groups, there’s only one exclusive to IAFF members, the IAFF-MG. There’s currently about 700 members across the United States and Canada.
Formed by convention resolution in 2004, the IAFF-MG brings together active and retired members, as well as members of recognized affiliates from across the international union. The goal is simple: to strengthen camaraderie beyond the job.
How IAFF-MG members ride across North America
The IAFF-MG is separated into districts, mirroring the IAFF structure. A full-group event and, on average, two events per district are planned each year.
Seventh District Vice President Ricky Walsh and 16th District Vice President Emeritus Michael Crouse, both original members of the group, say annual membership is well worth the cost.
“Our members are all IAFF members and their immediate family members (associate members),” Crouse said. “I have always been an avid rider. There’s nothing like getting out on the open road, especially when the weather is nice. And, for some, it’s not more complex than that; they just love it.”
Walsh could not agree more.
“For others, it’s an extension of the fire fighter brotherhood, or they might need a chance to get out of their heads and riding is the way to do it,” he said.
Third District IAFF-MG coordinator Robert Rooney was part of the quorum that formed the IAFF-MG in 2004, even though he didn’t have his own a motorcycle at the time.
“Camaraderie is critical in the fire service because we need to be able to trust everyone who is on the emergency scene with us. And it’s good to be able to talk about the stress of the job with someone who really understands,” Rooney said. “I knew the club would be one more way that would promote camaraderie on and off the job. I was proud to support the convention resolution.”
Rooney got his own bike in 2014 and joined the IAFF-MG shortly after. Since then, he’s gone on several adventures, but the best may have been his trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota..
“The country was just coming out of the pandemic. We were all ready to go somewhere, so six of us took six days to ride from Massachusetts to South Dakota,” he said. “It was hot, so we stopped every two hours or so. But the adventure was well worth the discomfort along the way.”
Many motorcycle enthusiasts attend the major rallies across North America, which also include Laconia (New Hampshire), Daytona (Florida), and Kamloops (British Columbia).
Chai and four others made the ride from New Jersey to Kamloops – roughly 11,000 miles over 31 days..
“It was never about the destination for me,” he said. “We rode from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with stops for food and fuel, and met so many people and saw so many things. That was the best part. It really is amazing to me how generous and welcoming people are.”
Beyond the camaraderie, many say they ride for the “wind therapy.” Whether it’s everyday stress or something more serious like PTSD, riding helps clear their mind.
“We all see a lot on the job and that can be hard. For example, I was deployed as part of Utah Task Force 1 for 17 days to assist in the search and recovery operations at Ground Zero,” said IAFF-MG 9th District Coordinator Doug Rice, a retired member of Salt Lake County, UT Local 1696. “Being out there on a bike with people who have had similar experiences really helps. There really is just something about it.”
Most IAFF-MG members ride Harley-Davidsons, but Indians, Triumphs, BMWs, and others make it into the mix as well.
Walsh often rode with his wife, Kelly, until she lost her battle with cancer in April 2021. Now, he dedicates every ride to her.
“Many of us use our bikes as a canvas to display things that are personal to us,” DVP Walsh said. “We both loved to ride, so I had her picture painted onto the surface of my bike. Now she is always with me.”
IAFF-MG plans ride honoring 25th anniversary of 9/11
The IAFF-MG has its traditions, including special rides to remember the fallen.
Each year, members ride to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, where they are known as the chrome battalion. A week before this year’s memorial, the group is planning to honor the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a ride into Shanksville, Pa.
Riders can arrive in Shanksville as early as Sept. 9 and participate in several riding activities up until the main event on Sept. 11.
“We had thousands join us for the 10th anniversary in Manhattan and are looking forward to seeing the riders who will join us in Shanksville,” Walsh said. “It will be a very special event to remember the 343 fire fighters who lost their lives that day and the lives of those we have lost since then to related illnesses.”
Registration information can be found here. Learn more about the IAFF-MG at iaff.org/motorcycle-group.
